NEW YORK (THE THURSDAY TIMES) — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan will attend a high-profile meeting with President Donald Trump and a group of Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week. The gathering is expected to focus on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the disputed region of Kashmir and the rising urgency of global security concerns.
Sharif, accompanied by deputy prime minister & foreign minister Ishaq Dar, senior cabinet ministers and top diplomats, will present Pakistan’s stance on key regional and international challenges while also participating in other high-level UN meetings on security, development and climate action. This will be his first direct interaction with President Trump since the start of Trump’s new term in office.
The Pakistani leader is expected to stress the need for collective action on Palestine and Kashmir, framing both as longstanding crises that demand international attention. Officials say Pakistan will also seek to position itself as a constructive voice on countering Islamophobia, accelerating climate efforts and advancing sustainable development goals.
Analysts see the upcoming meeting as a chance for Pakistan to amplify its diplomatic standing and coordinate with other Islamic nations on shared priorities. Observers note that this may also help Islamabad strengthen its ties with Washington and reset its image as a responsible regional power.
The timing of the gathering underscores its symbolic weight. As the UNGA opens amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, Pakistan’s participation signals a broader strategy to project unity within the Muslim world and to pressure global actors into renewed engagement on regional flashpoints.
